Main Street

Writer and photographer W. Scott Olsen is giving an artist talk Thursday, February 24th at the Plains Art Museum on his exhibition, “Notes Toward the Soul of Water: A Photojournalist Adventure.”

Tuesday, February 22, 2022 - Just in time for another week of bone-chilling temps, it’s National Sauna Week. We visit with Ellen Liddle, president of Red River Finns about the staple cold-weather activity. There’s a SaunaFest coming up this weekend in Fargo. ~~~ We have a Natural North Dakota essay from biologist Chuck Lura and the emerald ash borer. ~~~ Starkweather Phy Ed and Business teacher Jodi Erickstad got a ND Teacher Innovation Grant. She’s using the money to buy snowshoe kits to get kids outdoors during the winter.

Monday, February 21, 2022 - It’s Presidents Day. Today we share a story of the late president as guest host Rick Collin visits with Nathaniel Philbrick, the author of “Travels With George, in Search of Washington and His Legacy.” In the fall of 1789, George Washington, six months into his presidency, set out on the first of four road trips as he attempted to unite the states into a single nation. To research the story, Philbrick retraced Washington’s route. This conversation first aired in December 2021.

Friday, Feb 18 – Scholar and author Dr. David Treuer is speaking at the Gamechanger event from Humanities ND on Sunday. We share a conversation with Treuer from 2019 about his book, “The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present.” ~~~ Harvest Public Media reports on vertical farming. ~~~ News Director Dave Thompson is here for his weekly news debrief. ~~~ Matt Olien reviews Don’t Look Up.

Thursday, February 17, 2022 - We think of plastic as petroleum based. We hear from Dr. Graeme Wyllie on creating bioplastics using lobster shells and seaweed. ~~~ We share a Natural North Dakota essay on the winter bird count. ~~~ Tom Isern has a Plains Folk essay, “The Devil’s Lane.” ~~~ Sue Balcom helps us prep for the upcoming gardening season in this week’s Main Street Eats.

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 – Today is the birthday of the late director John Schlesinger who directed Midnight Cowboy. We reair a conversation with writer Glenn Frankel about his book “Shooting Midnight Cowboy.” He visits with Prairie Public movie critic Matt Olien.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 – The Celebration of Women and Their Music is a weeklong celebration of live music and young women in the arts. Now in its 25th year, we reflect on its influence with founder and musician Deb Jenkins, and Rosie Sauvageau Nestingen, a pianist who won award money from the event.

Monday, February 14, 2022 - It’s yet another accolade for UND’s Sydney Menne. They junior, who’s double majoring in mathematics and physics, is joining the class of 2022 Brooke Owens fellows. The fellowship helps undergraduate women pursuing careers in aeronautics. ~~~ From Weekend Edition Sunday, we share an interview with NPR's Michel Martin speaking with 11-year-old Jazlyn Guerra, host of "Jazzy's World TV," and her dad, Luis DeHoyos. ~~~ We share a reading from the recent Joy Harjo event in Fargo, “Red Bird Love.” ~~~ Audubon Dakota’s Marshall Johnson was recently promoted to Chief Conservation Officer of the National Audubon Society. We visit about his plans.

Friday, February 11, 2022 - Rural areas are often in what’s called food deserts, where there’s not always easy access to healthy food. Brandi Malarkey introduces us to a hub-and-spoke approach to rural grocery delivery. She visits with two members of the Rural Access Distribution Cooperative board, Vice President Diana Hahn and President Alex Bata. ~~~ Tom Isern shares a Plains Folk essay, Talking Back to Bachelors. ~~~ News Director Dave Thompson is here for his weekly news debrief. ~~~ Matt Olien reviews Flee and comments on the Oscar nominations released this week.

Thursday, February 10, 2022 - Frost Fire is a hidden gem in northeast North Dakota. There are buses leaving from Grand Forks and Fargo during the ski season to take skiers anxious to hit the slopes without the drive. They’re also raising money on Giving Hearts Day to address some infrastructure needs and future expansion plans. We visit with Frost Fire’s Patty Gorder. ~~~ Sue Balcom joins us for a Valentine’s Day-themed Main Street Eats.